Strike by W. Virginia teachers enters 8th day

06 March, 2018

After Senate leaders announced the mistake, senators walked back their passage vote and certain procedural votes, and passed the bill with a 4 percent raise after 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

The West Virginia teacher's strike entered a new week with no immediate resolution in sight. "We have heard the message of our teachers and state employees loudly and clearly, and we plan to continue delivering results".

WVEA is representing the strikers along with the state branch of the American Federation of Teachers and the West Virginia School Service Personnel Association, reports the AP.

A legislative conference committee appointed to resolve differences between the Senate and House proposals is scheduled to meet later Monday. "Within just a few short hours of receiving this revised revenue estimate, we held a committee meeting, passed an amended bill, got it to the floor and approved overwhelmingly by this house".

Protesting teachers have argued that education in West Virginia - where more than 700 classrooms lack fully certified full-time teachers - needs to be a higher priority among politicians. Union leadership supported the deal, however, many teachers felt the deal didn't go almost far enough, nor was its passage through the senate guaranteed.

As many as 20,000 teachers took part in a walkout on February 22, bringing classes for almost 277,000 students to a halt. Since then, angry teachers have gone to the Capitol to press legislators to raise their pay, among the lowest in the nation, after four years without an increase. "We have now reviewed 174 requests and approved more than $71,000 - to teachers and school service personnel to cover strike costs, child care, medical bills, lost pay for aides and substitutes, re-stocking food pantries, and other efforts to support children and families during the strike".

Garcia, the NEA president, said she is in Charleston to let West Virginia teachers know they're not alone - that all teachers in the country are there to support them.

Messina says "given the size of the lines still waiting outside, and the placement of the crowds inside, Capitol Police and the State Fire Marshal' Office agreed that a safety concern was imminent".

The walkout began last month after Gov. Jim Justice signed a 2 percent pay raise for next year.

Gov. Justice went on to say, "Education should be our centerpiece and I have worked tirelessly to get our teachers the 5 percent pay raise". The House of Delegates later approved a 5 percent increase, negotiated last week between Justice and the unions.

Teachers went on strike statewide February 22.

Numerous 250,000 public school students in West Virginia rely on school lunches to keep them fed, and there has been a concerted effort by striking teachers to keep them from going hungry.

To make ends meet for themselves, many of these teachers have side jobs. He now also works in a federally funded outreach program to help prepare students for college. "People's kids", Skidmore said.

Elsewhere, Brady Stafford and about a dozen of his friends got in some extra practice at a South Charleston soccer field.

At a nearby ice arena, Melissa Hodges took her two daughters for regular skating lessons.

"I was explaining it to her and she brought her piggy bank in to me the other day and said, 'Mommy, will this help our teachers?'" Martinez said.

ACC Tournament projections for ClemsonMar 06, 2018
Freshman guard Nicki Ekhomu, off the bench, recorded a career-high 18 points to accompany six rebounds and five assists. They were projected to finish last in the ACC by just about everyone, but they didn't win a single game in league play.

Trump full of jokes at annual media dinnerMar 05, 2018
Trump used the dinner to take another shot at Sessions, joking , "I offered him a ride over, and he recused himself ". Trump is now a president in transition, at times angry and increasingly isolated.

Global stocks keep dropping as Trump talks up "trade war"Mar 05, 2018
The S&P 500 is on pace for a loss of 3.5 percent this week, which would be its third decline that severe in the last five weeks. The two-year yield slipped to 2.23 percent from 2.26 percent, and the 30-year yield dropped to 3.11 percent from 3.13 percent.

US President Trump threatens tax on EU carsMar 05, 2018
Around the world , Trump's words led to criticism from the president of the European Commission , Jean-Claude Juncker. On Friday morning, Trump tweeted about the possibility of a trade war , posting that they are "easy to win".

United States teen guns down parents at MI universityMar 04, 2018
James Eric Davis , Jr was arrested for the shooting death of two people at Central Michigan University on Friday, March 2, 2018 . Students spent hours locked down in classrooms and dormitories while armed police searched Central Michigan University.

Putin congratulates Sarkissian on being elected Armenian presidentMar 04, 2018
Armenian President Sarksyan also faced vehement opposition from nationalists at home and the powerful Armenian diaspora overseas . He has pledged, among other things, to strive to heal what he sees as serious divisions existing within the Armenian society.

Slovaks to rally across country in honor of slain journalistMar 04, 2018
The killings come less than five months after anti-corruption journalist, Daphne Caruana Galizia, died in a vehicle bomb on Malta. A statement said that the suspects had been released because no evidence had emerged during their 48-hour detainment.

Mike Zimmer hopes Teddy Bridgewater's career is with himMar 04, 2018
Mike Zimmer knows how important a decision the Minnesota Vikings have to make regarding the quarterback position this offseason. Bradford played only two games last season because of knee injury Zimmer characterized as " degenerative ".

A splash of colourMar 04, 2018
The major celebrations took place in Mathura city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the birth place of Hindu god Krishna. Holi marks the beginning of spring season and arrives at a time when the agricultural fields are on pace for a better harvest.

Louisville QB Lamar Jackson shoots down WR moveMar 04, 2018
He participated in all of the throwing drills, but his decision to partcipated in the 40 left some analysts curious. But the Broncos own the fifth pick in the draft and this group of quarterbacks is unusually deep and top-heavy.